By John Majau
Meru County Health Executive Meshack Mutuma has directed institutions wishing to carry out mass circumcisions of boys and who recently completed class eight to first seek certification from the public health department before carrying on with the exercise.
Addressing journalists in his office Mutuma warned parents against taking their children who are expected to join secondary school later in year to uncertified places adding that this will put them at a high risk of being infected by Covid-19.
He said owing to the prevailing Coronavirus pandemic, he is completely opposed to the initiation exercise because it exposes the initiates to health hazards.
He called on parents to be considerate and patiently wait for the traditional December holidays when the rituals are held before circumcising the young boys noting that no law bars anybody from joining secondary school if they are not circumcised.
“This time it will not be business as usual for those intending to have their sons circumcised as well as those planning to carry out circumcision businesses due to the prevailing Covid-19 pandemic.
We have set up protocols that we expect parents and those carrying out the circumcision exercise must adhere to,” said Mutuma.
He said religious institutions and others wishing to carry out mass circumcision must ensure their premises were first certified by the public health officials and guidance is given, which must be followed strictly.
“I plead with parents wishing to circumcise their sons to hold on for now, and if they must do so, they should take them to certified places,” said Mutuma.
Parents who usually keep their sons at home during the seclusion period have also been advised to ensure they limit the number of people visiting their children to reduce chances of infection.
“Let us not play with our children’s lives by exposing them to practices that might endanger their lives” said Mutuma.
Mutuma further said that the county government was well prepared to handle cases of Covid-19 in case they rise.
“We have enough oxygen cylinders, oxygen concentrators, and ventilators in our facilities to cater for those who will be in need of this,” he said.
Mutuma called on the residents not to lower their guards in terms of observing regulations that will keep them away from the pandemic.
